If you are considering buying a home, then you may be a little confused
by all of the terms you hear about home loans. After all, lenders just
throw around words like fixed rate, balloon mortgages and adjustable
rate mortgages without a thought. What follows are the three most common
types of home loans. Study it, and determine which one would be right
for you.
First is the fixed rate loan and with this, you will have a fixed
interest rate and that will not change for the life of the loan. So if
you plan to buy a home and stay in it until you pay it off, then this
would be the loan for you. Just take note that if interest rates go
higher, yours will just stay the same. But just hope that they will not
go down as you will be paying a higher interest rate.
The second type is the adjustable rate mortgage or the ARM. This
loan's interest rate basically goes up and down with the market so if
the interest rate is low, so will yours; and if high, your home mortgage
rate will, too. One disadvantage of this type is that the interest rate
on a home mortgage loan affects the payments so you will never know
what your monthly mortgage payments will be so this type won't be right
for everyone.
This type of loan would be more preferred by those individuals who
buy a house for investment purposes then plan to sell it fast as they
can probably use the low interest rates, especially if they may get
lower.
Another reason to use an ARM as a home loan is if you are buying a
home in a time when interest rates are on the decline. You can take out
an ARM, and then have it changed to a fixed loan once the interest rates
bottom out.
The third type is the Balloon Home Loan. With this type, you will
make monthly payments for a fixed amount of time, with a fixed interest
rate. The difference is that at the end of the payment schedule, you
will likely owe the unpaid balance in one lump sum. So if you use a
balloon mortgage, you will find that the interest rates are much lower
than either a fixed rate mortgage or an ARM.
Just one big problem for this type of loan is the large payment due
at the end. On the other hand, if you plan to hold the house for just a
short period of time, the balloon home loan might just suit you well.
When you get to really understand the types of home loans then you
will be more confident and prepared to make the right decision in
getting the best home mortgage loan for you and your family.
Selasa, 16 April 2013
Rabu, 11 November 2009
Largest Crib Recall in history
http://consumerreportsblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/largest-crib-recall-in-history.html
Kamis, 27 November 2008
Toxins in your home and everyday products
Our homes and businesses stink. Or at least that's the impression you
might get from the media. Clean, welcoming homes are associated with
fresh scents, and busy wives and mothers can rely on air fresheners to
give their home a boost. The ads feature happy family members sniffing
carpets and enthusiastically inhaling the freshly-scented air.
Sure, it's a bit of an exaggeration, but what are we really breathing in when we use these products?
It's no surprise that we don't want unpleasant smells around. After all, we spend an average of 90 per cent of our time indoors (according to Health Canada), and we're willing to pay to make our environments more pleasant. Air fresheners are a booming business -- it's a $200 million market in Canada, and an estimated three out of five Canadians use these products in their homes. Air fresheners also appear in many public places including offices and institutions.
However, fragranced products are anathema for people with chemical sensitivities and allergies -- and new research is warning that air fresheners can pose a threat to everyone. Air fresheners contain chemicals that mask odours or deaden or interfere with our sense of smell. Some chemicals actually line the inside of the nasal passage.
But where is the proof scientific proof?
Air fresheners have been the focus of a few studies over the past couple of years. A 2007 European study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that regularly using fragranced sprays increased the risk of asthma by as much as 50 per cent. Another study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that most sprays, gels and plug in air fresheners it tested contained phthalates (known hormone disruptors), even if they were labelled as "all-natural" or "unscented".
But that's not all... In July 2008, a University of Washington study published in Environmental Impact Assessment found that six top-selling fragranced products (three of which were air fresheners) contained nearly 100 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ten of those VOCs are classified as toxic under U.S. Laws. Further research is underway.
In addition, scientists in Korea found that many household products such as air fresheners emit toxic compounds. All 42 products they tested contained acetone, ethanol, limonene, perchloroethylene (PCE), phenol, and 1-propanol. Another 10 per cent of products also contained other potentially hazardous chemicals.
Closer to home, the CBC recently tested air fresheners currently available in Canada. They found that nearly one third contained DBP and/or DEP (the same two phthalates banned from children's toys in 12 European countries). The phthalates are used to make the scent last longer.
While many people are questioning the safety of these products, not everyone agrees. Companies that produce these products claim they are safe and that they meet all safety regulations. Further, they claim that the levels of any chemicals present are too low to be harmful and that the studies as misleading.
Trade associations such as the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) also say air fresheners are safe. The CSPA's website says that the items are subject to strict standards and that manufacturers choose chemicals with low toxicity. The products do not contain known cancer-causing ingredients and are not known to cause or exacerbate asthma. In addition, its consumer information attributes health benefits like reduced stress, increased productivity and enhanced mood with the use of "air care" products.
There are currently no recalls of these products due to health concerns, and no government agencies have issued any warnings to consumers based on the results of these studies.
So what's the bottom line for consumers? As is usually the case with allegedly harmful chemicals and products, more research and investigation is required. A direct causal link between the product and specific disease states is hard to prove, and the risks to children, pets and the environment haven't been thoroughly investigated.
In the meantime, there isn't much information available for curious and concerned shoppers. Currently, manufacturers in Canada and the U.S. aren't required to list all of the ingredients on the packaging. As a result, University of Washington researcher Anne Steinemann argues that consumers don't have enough information about these products, and may even have a false sense of security about the information they do have. She, and many other researchers and activists, advocate that people need more access to information about the products they come into contact with on a daily basis, and laws need to provide better protection for customers.
The alternatives
What if you like a little fragrance now and then or cleaning won't get rid of a persistent smell in your home? You still have options if you want to avoid any potential risk from commercial room fresheners -- and many of them are easy on the wallet.
To get rid of odours:
- There's something to be said for a good "airing out". Open the windows when weather and outdoor air quality permit. Good ventilation is important to disperse and dilute odours.
- If you don't have an air exchange ventilation in your home, place a fan in the window pointing outwards to blow air out of the room. Open a second window to promote a breeze
- Make sure areas of your home where moisture builds up, like the bathroom or basement, are well-ventilated to discourage mould.
- A box of baking soda works well in small, enclosed spaces (not just your fridge or freezer). You can also sprinkle it on carpets (which tend to absorb odours) and vacuum up.
- Try setting out bowls of vinegar or put it in a spray bottle and mist the room.
- Make your own air freshener. There are many good recipes on the internet such as RecipeZaar, or check your local library for books on making all-natural cleaners.
- Try an odour-absorbing product like the Volcanic Deodorizer from Lee Valley ($17.50 for a bag covering up to 4800 cubic feet). Some time in the sun every six months and a yearly rinse with salt water will keep this product going indefinitely.
- Look for environmentally-friendly odour neutralizing sprays, such as those that contain enzymes like Nature's Fresh. The enzymes work on "organic odours" like urine and smoke.
- Purchase an air purifier or filter for use in the home to reduce odours and allergens in the air. These products can be a little pricey, ranging from $50 - $300, so assess your needs carefully and watch for sales.
To add some scent:
- Try an essential oil from your local natural food or health food store. A few drops in a diffuser will add some chemical-free scent to the room.
- Simmer some citrus rinds or other spices like cinnamon in a pot on your stove top. Lemon is a good way to banish cooking odours.
- Place some dried flowers or herbs around your home. You can cheat a little and add a drop or two of essential oil to refresh it.
- Grow a fragrant plant such as certain flowers or herbs.
Many sources note that home fragrance products aren't a necessity, and many of these alternatives are as easy on the pocket book as they are on the environment.
Sure, it's a bit of an exaggeration, but what are we really breathing in when we use these products?
It's no surprise that we don't want unpleasant smells around. After all, we spend an average of 90 per cent of our time indoors (according to Health Canada), and we're willing to pay to make our environments more pleasant. Air fresheners are a booming business -- it's a $200 million market in Canada, and an estimated three out of five Canadians use these products in their homes. Air fresheners also appear in many public places including offices and institutions.
However, fragranced products are anathema for people with chemical sensitivities and allergies -- and new research is warning that air fresheners can pose a threat to everyone. Air fresheners contain chemicals that mask odours or deaden or interfere with our sense of smell. Some chemicals actually line the inside of the nasal passage.
But where is the proof scientific proof?
Air fresheners have been the focus of a few studies over the past couple of years. A 2007 European study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that regularly using fragranced sprays increased the risk of asthma by as much as 50 per cent. Another study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that most sprays, gels and plug in air fresheners it tested contained phthalates (known hormone disruptors), even if they were labelled as "all-natural" or "unscented".
But that's not all... In July 2008, a University of Washington study published in Environmental Impact Assessment found that six top-selling fragranced products (three of which were air fresheners) contained nearly 100 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ten of those VOCs are classified as toxic under U.S. Laws. Further research is underway.
In addition, scientists in Korea found that many household products such as air fresheners emit toxic compounds. All 42 products they tested contained acetone, ethanol, limonene, perchloroethylene (PCE), phenol, and 1-propanol. Another 10 per cent of products also contained other potentially hazardous chemicals.
Closer to home, the CBC recently tested air fresheners currently available in Canada. They found that nearly one third contained DBP and/or DEP (the same two phthalates banned from children's toys in 12 European countries). The phthalates are used to make the scent last longer.
While many people are questioning the safety of these products, not everyone agrees. Companies that produce these products claim they are safe and that they meet all safety regulations. Further, they claim that the levels of any chemicals present are too low to be harmful and that the studies as misleading.
Trade associations such as the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) also say air fresheners are safe. The CSPA's website says that the items are subject to strict standards and that manufacturers choose chemicals with low toxicity. The products do not contain known cancer-causing ingredients and are not known to cause or exacerbate asthma. In addition, its consumer information attributes health benefits like reduced stress, increased productivity and enhanced mood with the use of "air care" products.
There are currently no recalls of these products due to health concerns, and no government agencies have issued any warnings to consumers based on the results of these studies.
So what's the bottom line for consumers? As is usually the case with allegedly harmful chemicals and products, more research and investigation is required. A direct causal link between the product and specific disease states is hard to prove, and the risks to children, pets and the environment haven't been thoroughly investigated.
In the meantime, there isn't much information available for curious and concerned shoppers. Currently, manufacturers in Canada and the U.S. aren't required to list all of the ingredients on the packaging. As a result, University of Washington researcher Anne Steinemann argues that consumers don't have enough information about these products, and may even have a false sense of security about the information they do have. She, and many other researchers and activists, advocate that people need more access to information about the products they come into contact with on a daily basis, and laws need to provide better protection for customers.
The alternatives
What if you like a little fragrance now and then or cleaning won't get rid of a persistent smell in your home? You still have options if you want to avoid any potential risk from commercial room fresheners -- and many of them are easy on the wallet.
To get rid of odours:
- There's something to be said for a good "airing out". Open the windows when weather and outdoor air quality permit. Good ventilation is important to disperse and dilute odours.
- If you don't have an air exchange ventilation in your home, place a fan in the window pointing outwards to blow air out of the room. Open a second window to promote a breeze
- Make sure areas of your home where moisture builds up, like the bathroom or basement, are well-ventilated to discourage mould.
- A box of baking soda works well in small, enclosed spaces (not just your fridge or freezer). You can also sprinkle it on carpets (which tend to absorb odours) and vacuum up.
- Try setting out bowls of vinegar or put it in a spray bottle and mist the room.
- Make your own air freshener. There are many good recipes on the internet such as RecipeZaar, or check your local library for books on making all-natural cleaners.
- Try an odour-absorbing product like the Volcanic Deodorizer from Lee Valley ($17.50 for a bag covering up to 4800 cubic feet). Some time in the sun every six months and a yearly rinse with salt water will keep this product going indefinitely.
- Look for environmentally-friendly odour neutralizing sprays, such as those that contain enzymes like Nature's Fresh. The enzymes work on "organic odours" like urine and smoke.
- Purchase an air purifier or filter for use in the home to reduce odours and allergens in the air. These products can be a little pricey, ranging from $50 - $300, so assess your needs carefully and watch for sales.
To add some scent:
- Try an essential oil from your local natural food or health food store. A few drops in a diffuser will add some chemical-free scent to the room.
- Simmer some citrus rinds or other spices like cinnamon in a pot on your stove top. Lemon is a good way to banish cooking odours.
- Place some dried flowers or herbs around your home. You can cheat a little and add a drop or two of essential oil to refresh it.
- Grow a fragrant plant such as certain flowers or herbs.
Many sources note that home fragrance products aren't a necessity, and many of these alternatives are as easy on the pocket book as they are on the environment.
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